Should Pickleball Adopt a 7-0 Mercy Rule?

Pickleball's competitive landscape is evolving fast, but no matter how good the competition continues to get, it's impossible to guarantee even matchups every game, especially in tournament play.

The guys on this week's PicklePod debated an interesting solution: should the sport adopt a mercy rule?

It might sound far-fetched, but pros Tanner Tomassi and Zane Navratil weren't so quick dismiss it.

Watch the clip below:

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What Would a Mercy Rule Actually Look Like?

The conversation landed on a specific number: 7-0.

In ping pong, a "skunk" at 11-0 or 7-0 depending what you're playing to typically ends the match.

Pickleball's version would be simpler, thanks to the universal switch to side-out scoring: if one team reaches 7 points while their opponent has zero, the match is over. Have mercy.

Here's why that number makes sense:

• It's early enough to prevent the worst blowouts but late enough to let matches develop naturally
• At 6-0 in deciding games, players switch sides already, which adds a psychological moment. If the trailing team scores the next point to make it 6-1, they're still in it. But if the leading team gets to 7-0, it's all over...
• It creates a clear, easy-to-understand rule that doesn't require judgment calls

Would the Pro Ranks Actually Adopt It?

Here's where it gets interesting. If a mercy rule exists, will elite players like Gabe Tardio and Ben Johns just demolish lower-seeded opponents in six minutes flat? Or will they still ease into matches and play with some restraint?

The honest answer: probably both. Some players will absolutely go for the quick 7-0 win, especially in tournament formats where they're playing multiple matches in a day. Others might still ease their way into competition, especially early in a tournament when they're warming up.

But here's the upside: if players know they can end a match quickly, they might actually play more aggressively and creatively. No more lobbing 15 times in a row just for the fun of it. The game could become more dynamic and entertaining to watch.

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Watch the full PicklePod episode below: